The Revelstoke Derailers roller derby team came up short in its first bout ever, falling 189-156 to a more experienced team in Penticton Saturday night.
“It was every single person’s first bout including mine,” said team captain Stephanie ‘Pownder Puff’ Ells. “It was really neat to experience that altogether.”
The night before the bout the Derailers had a visit from Coach Lime, a professional roller derby coach, who briefed them on what to expect. On Saturday, the team travelled to Penticton to take on the Pistoleras, another rookie team but one featuring several veteran derby girls.
The Derailers got off to a good start, staying out of the penalty box and finishing the second half up 28 points.
“I think everyone was shocked we were winning,” said Ells. “It was an amazing feeling to be in our first ever bout and to be leading at half-time.”
In the second half, the team got into penalty trouble and the Penticton Pistoleras brought out some experienced jammers, who took it to the rookie Revelstoke team.
“We were expecting rookies, we weren’t expecting to go out there against experience jammers,” said Ells.
The Derailers next bout is on Saturday, June 23 at the Revelstoke Forum. The team plans on working on it’s defence and training more jammers in preparation for the bout against the Black Diamond Betties from Whistler that is being dubbed the Ski Town Showdown.
“We’ll work on more strategy as opposed to just survival,” said Ells.
The Derailers also has a rematch against Penticton set for July 21 in Revelstoke. There are also plans for a scrimmage against a veteran team from the Terminal City league in Vancouver.